Transferring a Republic Number to a Service Provider That Refuses Landlines

Please note this article (like all articles on the Republic Wireless Wiki) is maintained by fellow Republic members (Republic likes to call customers members). The purpose of this Wiki is to provide helpful and unbiased information. The Wiki is neither sponsored or endorsed by Republic Wireless and the information documented here should not be considered official Republic Wireless documentation. Follow-up questions would best be directed to Republic's online Community.

Republic numbers are Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Republic’s use of VoIP is part of the nature of its blended WiFi/cell service. There is nothing Republic can do to change this regulatory (FCC) classification.

For transfer (porting) purposes, VoIP numbers are treated the same as traditional landlines (wireline is the more correct telephone industry term). Some service providers, most notably Altice Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Google Voice and Hello Mobile refuse to port any number other than a number already classified as wireless. This is a their policy choice not something required of them. Despite what a representative of one of these services may tell you, Republic does not hold or otherwise prevent you from taking your number elsewhere.

Porting your number to one of these service providers will require a workaround and modest expense but can be done successfully. The workaround is to temporarily port your number to a wireless provider that will accept it, then port from there to your preferred provider. Suggested methods follow:

Contents

Altice Mobile

You will need to acquire a Ting SIM. Ting SIMs are available at most Best Buys and online at B&H Photo. Amazon and/or eBay are other options. Ting SIMs purchased at Best Buy and B&H Photo provide $30 initial service credit, so your net expense is the cost of the SIM itself. Ting SIMs acquired elsewhere may or may not provide initial credit. Once acquired, here's how to activate that Ting SIM:

You will receive email notification from Ting when your transfer from Republic is complete. In my experience, this generally takes less than 24 business hours. Until the transfer to Ting is complete, your Republic service will continue to function.

When up and running on Ting, you may initiate your number transfer to Altice. Ting's guidance for transferring (porting) out is here.

Cricket Wireless

You will need to acquire a Ting SIM. Ting SIMs are available at most Best Buys and online at B&H Photo. Amazon and/or eBay are other options. Ting SIMs purchased at Best Buy and B&H Photo provide $30 initial service credit, so your net expense is the cost of the SIM itself. Ting SIMs acquired elsewhere may or may not provide initial credit. Once acquired, here's how to activate that Ting SIM:

You will receive email notification from Ting when your transfer from Republic is complete. In my experience, this generally takes less than 24 business hours. Until the transfer to Ting is complete, your Republic service will continue to function.

When up and running on Ting, you may initiate your number transfer to Cricket. Ting's guidance for transferring (porting) out is here.

Google Voice

You will need to acquire a Ting SIM. Ting SIMs are available at most Best Buys and online at B&H Photo. Amazon and/or eBay are other options. Ting SIMs purchased at Best Buy and B&H Photo provide $30 initial service credit, so your net expense is the cost of the SIM itself. Ting SIMs acquired elsewhere may or may not provide initial credit. Once acquired, here's how to activate that Ting SIM:

You will receive email notification from Ting when your transfer from Republic is complete. In my experience, this generally takes less than 24 business hours. Until the transfer to Ting is complete, your Republic service will continue to function.

When up and running on Ting, you may initiate your number transfer to Google Voice. Google charges $20 to port a number in. Additionally, you’ll need access to an unlocked GSM phone to house the Ting SIM long enough to complete Google’s verification requirements. This phone may be "borrowed". It does not need to be your daily driver.

Insert the Ting SIM into the phone being used, then follow Google's guidance here. Additional information for transferring (porting) out of Ting is here.

Hello Mobile

You will need to acquire a Ting SIM. Ting SIMs are available at most Best Buys and online at B&H Photo. Amazon and/or eBay are other options. Ting SIMs purchased at Best Buy and B&H Photo provide $30 initial service credit, so your net expense is the cost of the SIM itself. Ting SIMs acquired elsewhere may or may not provide initial credit. Once acquired, here's how to activate that Ting SIM:

You will receive email notification from Ting when your transfer from Republic is complete. In my experience, this generally takes less than 24 business hours. Until the transfer to Ting is complete, your Republic service will continue to function.